Style & Character
Darcet is a 2 star hotel that maintains great standards of cleanliness and hygiene so don’t be fooled by the rather old and unimpressive looking facade. Hotel Darcet is a typical no frills establishment that doesn’t display any of the Parisian finesse. You will notice clean cut lines, functional but not unattractive furniture and plenty of light and air.
Predictably the rooms are small but not bad when you compare it with Parisian 2 star standards. A lot of the furniture, grills and the fittings are wrought iron and the floors are wooden and they lack carpets. Some tastefully selected framed photos are the only pieces of décor that you can see here.
This is a family run place; its proprietors are a pair of siblings (brother sister duo) who speak nice English and are warm and friendly.
Rooms
There are 32 rooms of 4 different kinds in Hotel Darcet. The single rooms and double rooms are only 12 meter sq. and the latter has hardly any extra floor space and looks like every inch of the room has been utilized. The twin room is also 12 m2 and the only difference between these 3 different categories is the number and position of beds…all other amenities remain the same. The triple rooms are 15 m2 with a slightly stronger emphasis on décor.
The rooms are small but airy and bright and they optimize space well. If you like ample space around you and are travelling as a couple then you can book the triple bedded room.
Some common amenities are beds with comfortable bedding (firm mattress soft pillows) and blankets, flat screen TV sets, safe, power sockets etc. The bathroom has a shower, toiletry kit and hair dryer and all the fittings are modern. The shower has a nice folding glass door and the hot water supply and water pressure are adequate.
There is big trash can in the room that indicates the hotel’s penchant for cleanliness.
There is an HVAC system which works well and runs without noise. The shutters are automated and they can blackout the room completely. Rooms have phones with incoming call facility only, however reception phone can be used for making outgoing calls (paid).
Some rooms are more modern than the others; for example room 10 on the second floor is one of the best ones. If Wi Fi is a priority then the rooms on the lower floors have better connectivity
Amenities & Service
The rooms are kept very neat and clean and the housekeeping replenishes toiletries and changes sheets with diligence. It’s good to see a Parisian hotel cleaning and scrubbing the carpeted staircase on the weekends.
The staff is very nice and friendly and they go out of their way to please guests and help them with directions to attractions, restaurants even creating customized itineraries and accommodating special requests.
Special mention must be made of Zeon, Samir who are superlative in customer service. They will even allow you to check in early and check out late provided rooms are available. However they are especially vigilant about saving electricity and will reprimand guests (gently) for leaving lights/ a.c. etc. on while away sightseeing. This may seem uncomfortable for some as this obviously means that the staff check rooms when guests aren’t there.
There is a small communal kitchenette in the hotel that has an adequate stock of utensils, crockery and a microwave and refrigerator. You can bring your own food from outside and then have it in the room/ patio/ balcony etc. The staff actually encourage guests to do this. The communal dining room has tea and coffee provisions for 24 hours so whatever time guests arrive/ leave/ feel like, beverages are at their disposal. The dining rooms and patio and other common spaces are good for starting conversations with other travelers and sharing stories.
The 6 floored hotel has only one small elevator that can fit a maximum of 2 people at one go. If you are in a large group you might find things inconvenient but remember that a two star establishment doesn’t often have an elevator. This isn’t a smoke free hotel though smokers usually go up to the terrace to smoke.
There isn’t a separate luggage locker but the staff will ensure that your luggage is kept safe for hours till you are scheduled to leave. The staff will arrange cars and bicycles for you and point out suitable conveyance modes to wherever you wish to go. Kids till the age of 2 can stay for free and after that a fixed charge is applicable. Ironing, dry cleaning and laundry service is available for an added fee. The help desk is operational 24×7 and there is concierge service too. There is no private hotel parking but there is a public parking lot right nearby.
Food & Drinks
The Darcet doesn’t serve breakfast so you need to get it from the supermarkets or cafes outside. You can also buy stuff like bread, eggs, milk, pastries etc. and then sort of make your own breakfast and eat in in the dining room. There is an Auchan supermarket right opposite the road and 2 Fanprix stores right near the hotel. Each Saturday there is a farmers market in the center of the boulevard were you can pick up excellent meat cuts’, cheese and farm produce. Buy delicious jams and spreads from La Recolte Batignolles that’s right outside and if you feel like some sushi drop into Restaurant Yamato that’s next door.
The Darcet Hotel doesn’t have its own restaurant. This will never bother you as this area of Paris simply overflows with affordable cafes and restaurants. The Rue de Turin has Boulangerie that’s a fantastic café and breakfast place. Then there is Palatino (nice pizza), Le Moncey (comfort food and beer), Happy Café (Argentinian, Asian and French food), Bombay S (Indian), B.B.B (nice burgers and relaxed meals), and Le 27 Gourmand etc. Rue de Turin has classy places like Juste Le Zinc, Amalfi and Chez Hu Thai.
There are some nice bars like Kanavo Bar and L’Atelier (rue de I’lsly) and Pub 27 (rue de Rome). Rue des Dames has a couple of nice places like La Maison and O Cube.
Check Availability
Rate provided by Booking.com
Location & How To Reach
The Hotel is located in the 17th arrondisement of Paris in a standard Parisian neighborhood with a few cafes just around the corner. The Montmartre area is within walking distance and you can ride the funicular to visit the divine looking Sacre Couer and go off exploring the Latin and Arab quarters. The Boulevard de Clichy with its interesting architecture including the Quatrieme Pomme is nearby.
Enjoy rummaging through the Saint Ouen flea market and explore the interesting Latin Quarter shops. You can also enjoy a nice stroll on the La Promenade plantee (park strip on converted rail viaduct).
The nearest metro station is Place de Clinchy that’s about 200 meters away and via this you can get easy access to whatever attractions fall along metro line 2 and 13. The nearest bus stop is Malesherbes Courcelles (1.2 km away) that’s also at a moderate walking distance via Boulevard des Batignolles.
The Gare Du Nord Eurotunnel station is about 3 km away but the Saint Lazare train station is around 1 km away.
The CDG Airport is about 26 km away (You can take the RER B train from CDG to Gare du Nord station and then change to subway which will take you to Place de Clichy metro).
Address: 4 Rue Darcet, 75017, Paris 17e Arrondissement
Phone: +33 1 42 93 26 76; Hotel Website
Check Availability
Rate provided by Booking.com
A travel addict. Still celebrating the day when he quit his high-profile corporate job to pursue his passion for travel writing.